Toowoomba – Gowrie Creek
Current and ongoing advice
As at September 2024: People are advised to not consume fish caught from the investigation area of Gowrie Creek bounded by Bridge Street and downstream to the Wetalla Sewage Treatment Plant.
See below for further information.
In September 2019, per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) was detected in fish in Gowrie Creek, Toowoomba, adjacent to Viva Energy Australia’s former Toowoomba Tank Farm (fuel storage site) at 47–55 Brook St, North Toowoomba.
The test results showed elevated levels of the chemical and consequently, possible health risks for people who have regularly eaten fish from the creek. There is no health risk for people who have infrequently eaten fish from this creek.
Based on Viva Energy’s PFAS testing results, Queensland Health advises that fish caught from the investigation area of Gowrie Creek bounded by Bridge Street and downstream to the Wetalla Sewage Treatment Plant should not be eaten. Please see this map of the area .
The test results showed that the detected levels of PFAS in Gowrie Creek are at concentrations below recreational water quality health-based guideline values. This means people may still choose to undertake recreational activities on the waterway.
No public drinking water is sourced from these waterways.
Further information
Members of the public concerned about their health should see their local doctor or call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84).